Dr Leo Russell

NHS Psychology for Functional Symptoms. Trainer/Supervisor ISTDP. Director of ISTDP Health. Join me @bluesky - @leoistdp.bsky.social.

[Dr Leo Russell @LeoISTDP]

@WTIDPOD We don't talk enough about just how great that @lgreggers9 cross was! Legend. Absolutely cracking day!

[Dr Leo Russell @LeoISTDP]

Thanks to @FNDSociety for the opportunity to present and to @GNielsen_Physio and @CNicholsonOT for chairing the symposium 🙏 Can't wait to link up! 🌎

[Dr Leo Russell @LeoISTDP]

Thanks to @FNDSociety for the opportunity to present and to @GNielsen_Physio and @clare

[Dr Allan Abbass 🇨🇦 @ISTDP]

📣 ISTDP Ontario is excited to be hosting a 2-day In-Person course on Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) for Treatment Resistant Depression with Dr. Allan Abbass. 📣 � Come and join us June 24-25 in Toronto
https://t.co/Svj6i0MmSE

[Dr Leo Russell @LeoISTDP]

Very grateful to the excellent @storchyowl for bringing hope back to Hillsborough. Great interviews with @robstaton. As a life long Wednesday fan, this new chapter can't start soon enough. Thanks David, Michael, Tom and the whole Arise team for sticking with it 🙏🦉⚽️ #WAWAW

[Dr Leo Russell @LeoISTDP]

@AlanBiggs1 Some good info here:

https://t.co/C6OtSvzJRQ

Also found some other links to industry awards, recognitions for community contributions and his role in AAR becoming US's most trusted company, if these would be of help?

[Dr Leo Russell @LeoISTDP]

@AlanBiggs1 Thanks Alan, I appreciate these updates. Must be busy at your end but good to get your considered analysis - helps to understand the picture.

[Dr Leo Russell @LeoISTDP]

@mjgutkin Congratulations, Myles. Awesome work. Thanks for putting it out there 👏👏👏

[Sophy Ridge @SophyRidgeSky]

We've had a new report out into maternity and neonatal care and honestly... there's not a single surprise in it.

It's still - and I don't use these words lightly - a total disgrace. We've had multiple reports telling us this. And yet the same problems keep happening.

Women not being listened to - mums and babies being harmed or even dying - when they shouldn't be. So many people have their own stories - I'm sure if you're listening to this right now you might have your own story - or know someone who does.

There's one thing I wanted to pick out from the report by Baroness Valerie Amos.

The investigation heard cases of women who had lost babies being placed on wards with newborns.

This might seem like a little thing. But can you imagine losing a baby. The worst moment of your entire life. All those hopes and dreams for your child's future. Carrying the baby inside you - feeling it grow - and then the blood, the desperation that maybe it's going to be ok, surely it's got to be ok, and then the reality that you've lost your child.

And then what happens? You're put on a ward full of other mothers just like you... but these mums have their little babies in their arms.

That is not just negligent. It is cruel.

And it also happens systematically throughout the NHS. Having a miscarriage? Go to the maternity unit. Just had a scan where you'd hope to see your baby kicking but actually find out it doesn't have a heart beat? Go and sit down with all the happily pregnant mums.

This is symptomatic of a system where women are treated like vessels not like people who should be heard and listened to.

Because bringing life into the world can be the happiest time of your life. But it can also be the worst time of your life.

Either way - it's the most important moment. And that's why we've got to get this right.

[Dr Allan Abbass 🇨🇦 @ISTDP]

Understanding and Handling Crisis Sessions using ISTDP: January 12-14, 2026 Immersion Course - https://t.co/lhidHwvnkC

[Dr Allan Abbass 🇨🇦 @ISTDP]

IN 2026, There is a new Halifax Core Training in ISTDP co-led by Dr. Allan Abbass and Dr. Joel Town, each of whom will provide 4 training days per year.
Please email [email protected] with any questions or to apply!

[Dr Leo Russell @LeoISTDP]

@TUH_Psychology @PsychSocIreland @sarahjane_casey @damopamine @ValTwomey @mcdermgl @DONPSI Thanks @TUH_Psychology! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Such a great conference and a real priviledge for me that I got to take part in it!

[Dr Leo Russell @LeoISTDP]

It was a pleasure to join colleagues @PsychSocIreland #PSIConf25 to think together about FND & the role of Psychology. Wonderful to meet such an inspiring and experienced group of neuropsych folks @sarahjane_casey @damopamine @ValTwomey
@mcdermgl et al @DONPSI
1/7

[Psychological Society of Ireland @PsychSocIreland]

A fantastic first #PSIConf25 keynote from @LeoISTDP, exploring Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and the inseparable connection between mind and body, and showing how psychologically informed, multidisciplinary care can promote recovery.

An inspiring session highlighting innovation, compassion and integration in neuropsychological practice.

Dr Russell pictured with PSI President Dr Damien Lowry and members of @DONPSI.

[Dr Leo Russell @LeoISTDP]

and finally...

https://t.co/ybSkXKpj7Q

7/7

[Dr Leo Russell @LeoISTDP]

Functional symptoms are real.
They are not your fault.
They are not "all in the mind".

A short thread on a long misunderstanding.

🧵1/10

[Dr Leo Russell @LeoISTDP]

Some reflections on ISTDP as a helpful treatment option for some people with FND, including what we have learnt from the extensive work of Dr Allan Abbass @ISTDP

https://t.co/KwYd6YMP7g

6/7

[Dr Leo Russell @LeoISTDP]

Why do we use Intensive Short-term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) as a treatment option in our multi-disciplinary pathway for Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)?

🧵 1/9

[FND Ireland @FndIreland]

Great to see spotlight on #FND at #PSIConf2025 with @LeoISTDP keynote.

Psychologists are a key part in a coordinated multidisciplinary approach to treating FND. By better understanding the mind-body connection we will continue to advance treatment for FND and many illnesses💚🧡